Q: Is It Safe To Have Any Heat On My Belly During Pregnancy?

Is it safe to have any heat on my belly during pregnancy?

Hey, housing a baby is tough work. When your feet are sore and swollen and your back feels like it's about to give out, there are few things that feel as glorious as a heating pad. But while you can certainly put extra heat on these areas, you should avoid having anything hot directly on your belly for more than 15 minutes at a time. Docs agree that you don’t want your core body temperature above 102.2 degrees, so if you feel discomfort in your abdomen, speak to your doctor instead of trying to treat it with a heating pad. Laptops are no exception, either — avoid putting it directly on your belly and keep it in your lap or on a hard surface instead. Extremely hot baths are also a no-no, for the same reasons.

Wondering how you'll ever relieve the stress? There is an upside to all of this: You can use it as an excuse to get a free massage out of your S.O. (It’s all for the good of baby, after all.)